Day: September 20, 2024

Large social media and video streaming companies have engaged in vast surveillance of users with lax privacy controls and inadequate safeguards for children and teens, according to a report Thursday. The report, which examines the data collection and use practices of major social media and video streaming services, showed that the companies are engaged in vast surveillance of consumers to monetize their personal information, while failing to adequately protect users online, especially children and teens. The report found that the companies collected and could indefinitely retain valuable data, including information from data brokers, and from users and non-users of their

Manila: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez on Friday thanked the House of Representatives for the “expeditious” approval of the agency’s proposed PHP2.281-billion budget for 2025. This, after the House of Representatives terminated plenary deliberations on the PCO’s proposed budget for next year. In a statement, Chavez said the move is a vote of confidence in the PCO’s mission and organization. ‘The fact that our budget breezed through plenary without a single question asked and no opposition manifested spurs us more to deliver on the outcomes we have promised in that budget,’ Chavez said. ‘We appreciate the House’s

Manila: Education Secretary Sonny Angara remains optimistic about having more ‘creative and innovative’ Filipino learners in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday. During the 4th Philippine-Singapore Business and Investment Summit (PSBIS) in Singapore on Thursday, Angara highlighted plans to ‘integrate technology and digital literacy’ in the basic education curriculum to help learners acquire employable skills, in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives. ‘Our biggest asset is our people. Under President Marcos Jr.’s leadership, we are envisioning a more creative and innovative Filipino learner, which will be a significant boost to industry,’ Angara said in

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut of 50 basis points is “a very positive sign” for the American economy. She said the Fed’s jumbo cut “reflects confidence” for the central bank that inflation has come down significantly and is on a path back to the bank’s 2 percent target. Risks regarding inflation have “meaningfully diminished,” she told the Atlantic Festival 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Treasury head said wages are rising at a good pace, faster than inflation, so employees are getting ahead in real terms. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a

Oil prices dropped on Friday amid growing concerns about an economic slowdown in key markets, China’s slowing demand and the potential for increased OPEC+ supply. International benchmark Brent crude fell by 0.45 percent r to USD74.54 per barrel at 10.59 a.m. local time (0759 GMT), down from the previous session’s close of USD74.88. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 0.45 percent to USD70.84 per barrel after closing at USD71.16 in the prior session. Both benchmarks experienced a price decline, largely influenced by signs of economic slowdown among major oil consumers. Market players are focused on cues about slowing demand